THIS IS A BRIEF NOTE ABOUT MY WORK AND EXPERIENCE, AND ABOUT THE TOWN OF CROTONE

 

This is a brief Curriculum Vitae concerning my studies, tuition, and work in ceramics

 

Art Studies  =  Foundation Course                                    Manchester Polytechnic

Graphic Design                                      London College of Printing

 3 Dimensional Design                               Manchester Polytechnic

Ceramic Design                                  Royal College of Art, London

 

Art Tuition  =    Private Courses in Glaze Technology                         Bologna, Italy.

Visiting Lecturer in Ceramics                Manchester Polytechnic, UK.

Visiting Lecturer in Ceramics           Wrexham College of Art, Wales.

Lecturer in Ceramics           Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

Scenografia               Accademia di Belle Arti “Fidea”, Crotone, Italy.

 

   I have undertaken Studio Ceramic Production work in various studios in both Italy, at the “Ceramica Riparbello”,

and in Norway, in Gamelebyn, Fredrikstad and Stavern.

 

In 1993 I took the decision to leave my job as Lecturer in Ceramics at Manchester and to move to Italy join my wife and create our family. Setting up my own studio in Italy, working as Freelance Artist, Sculptor, Designer & Ceramicist.

Partecipating in numerous International Exhibitions I also have work present in various museums of Art and Ceramics , and in Public  Collections. 

Winner of International Biennale Ceramics Prizes in Cairo, Egypt and Gualdo Tadino, Italy.

A more detailed C.V. and images of other works may be seen on my site ;

www.MarkAspinallSculptor.com

 

Regarding drawing and painting

 

Though the dominant lines of exploration in my work are in the sculptural abstract, I have always observed acutely the natural world regarding it as constant nourishment for eye and mind. Observing, drawing and painting landscapes in changing weather and light conditions, searching to comprehend and capture the dramatic dynamism of our natural world has been a constant  touchstone of inspiration for me.

With the outdoor painting course I hope to introduce and offer to a wider audience some of those aspects that continually stimulate and motivate me.

 

About Crotone             

THREE THOUSAND YEARS plus

 

CROTONE itself boasts a MILLENNIAL HISTORY –

Founded in c. 710 BC as the Ancient Greek Achaean colony of Kroton,  known as Cotrone throughout the Middle Ages, and now as Crotone.

By 500 BC Crotone had become one of the most flourishing cities of the ancient Magna Graecia, with a population between 50,000 and 80,000. So famed for it’s medical school and it’s athletes ( Milo of Croton - 6 times winner in the ancient Greek Olympics (7  times at Delphi, 10 at Isthmia, and 9 at Nemea.) – who led the Crotonian army to victory against the Sybariites wearing his Olympic crowns, draped in a lionskin and brandishing a club in a manner similar to the mythic hero Hercules ! ), that  Pythagoras chose to come to Crotone to establish his school of Philosophy and Mathematics. The early medical theorist Alcmaeon of Croton was one of his students, as was the philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer Philolaus.

Three hundred years later Crotone was the last stronghold in the Italian peninsula for Hannibal in his fight against the growth of the early Roman Empire.

Today the late medieval town still exists, a jumble of tightly built houses and nobles palaces rising up to the enormous remains of the Castle, built originally in 840 AD to defend against the marauding Saracens and enlarged and modified under the Spanish King Carlo V in 1541 to become one of the largest fortresses of it’s era, wth dominating views up an down the coast and over the sea.

 

SEA and COAST.

Crotone itself has beaches of fine red sand and shallow waters, ideal for relaxing, swimming and walking in the waters, ideal for small children to play. To the north, right up to the Protected Wildlife Area of the mouth of the river Neto, are wilder, less visited, long wide beaches of light yellow sand. To the south from under the Arcaeological Park, and ruins of the ancient temple complex of the goddess Hera, at Capo Colonna, develops the Marine Reserve of Capo Rizzuto right down to the island castle of Le Castelle. A coastline of little known picturesque sandy coves interspersed with rocky headlands and shallows, ideal for snorkelling and diving and exploring the underwater life.

 

INLANDS and HIGHLANDS and MEDIEVAL TOWNS.

In the past the invading Saracen and pirates were the scourge of the land . So up and down the coast many small medieval towns developed huddled for defence on hills or rocky pinnacles, just in from the coast yet able to see and controll the coastline and surrounding farmlands, with defensive walls and towers and nobles’ homes. These towns still hold traditional festas of local foods and local saints.

Further inland are the wooded Highlands and inland lakes of the Sila, ideal for walking, cycling, or pony trekking excursions.